A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 03 eBook

[1] We have here omitted two sections of very uninteresting
cosmographical
observations on the antipodes,
the torrid zone, the climate of the
Western hemisphere, and the
peopling of America.—­E.

[2] The author or translator has here committed a
material arithmetical
error; as 180 degrees, multiplied
by 17-1/2, only produce 3150
leagues.—­E.

[3] This sum does not much exceed ten pounds of our
present money; yet in
these days was thought a gift
worthy of a queen.—­Churchill.

The value of money must then
have been much greater than now, perhaps
ten times; in which case this
supply may have been equal to about 22
hundred guineas in effective
value.—­E.

[4] This is little above L.520 of our money, according
to the present
computation.—­Churchill.

Probably equal in effective
value to L.5200 in the present time.—­E.

SECTION IV.

Conditions granted to Columbus by the Crown of
Castile, and an Account of his first Voyage, in which
he discovered the New World.

Columbus and the Secretary Coloma conferred together
upon the conditions, which he had demanded from the
beginning, and they at length agreed to the following
articles, which were signed on the 17th April 1492.

1. Their Catholic majesties, as sovereigns of
the ocean, do from this time constitute Don Christopher
Columbus their admiral, throughout all those islands
or continents, that by his means shall be discovered
and conquered in the said ocean, for the term of his
life, and after his death to his heirs and successors
for ever, with all the immunities and prerogatives
belonging to the said office, in the same manner as
they have been enjoyed by their admiral, Don Alonso
Enriquez, and his predecessors, within their liberties.

2. Their highnesses do constitute and appoint
the said D. C. Columbus their viceroy and governor-general
of all the islands or continents, which, as has been
said, he shall discover and conquer in the said seas;
and that he shall nominate three persons for the government
of each of them, of whom their highnesses shall choose
one.

3. Their highnesses grant to the said D. C. Columbus,
the tenth part of all commodities whatsoever, whether
pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spice, or any
other, bought, bartered, found, taken, or otherwise
had, within the limits of the said admiralty, the
charges being first deducted; so that he shall take
to himself the said tenth part, to use, enjoy, and
dispose of at his pleasure.

4. In case any controversies shall arise on account
of the commodities he may bring from the said islands
or countries, so conquered or discovered as aforesaid,
or on account of those here taken of other merchants
in exchange for these, in the place where the said
trade shall be settled; if it shall belong of right
to the admiral to try such causes, he shall be allowed
to do so by himself or deputy, as was allowed to the
admiral Don Alonso Enriquez, and his predecessors,
within their districts.